Brazil’s Federal Police announced the arrest of Marcos Roberto de Almeida, a leader of Brazil’s largest organized crime group, the First Capital Command (PCC), in eastern Bolivia. This arrest follows nearly five years on the run.
Background
- Almeida was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Brazil for various crimes, including:
- Criminal organization
- Money laundering
- Drug trafficking
- His sentencing occurred in 2020.
Details of the Arrest
- Almeida presented a false identity document at a police station while addressing immigration issues.
- This act of forgery led Bolivian authorities to contact Interpol and Brazilian police.
- Once his true identity was confirmed, he was detained by Bolivia’s Special Force to Combat Organized Crime.
The PCC’s Influence
- The PCC has grown into Latin America’s largest gang over the past two decades through violence and corruption.
- It operates extortion rackets against businesses, including major supermarket chains like Carrefour SA.
- The group also controls prisons, where inmates can earn up to $10 per day working for gangs or extorting fellow prisoners lacking protection from rival groups.
Current Situation
- It remains unclear if Almeida had legal representation at the time of his arrest in Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia, as part of a joint operation with Bolivian police and Interpol.
- The PCC has been responsible for numerous violent attacks against law enforcement officers across Brazil over the years. However, its influence has been declining since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office last year, promising tougher action against gangs.
Government Response
- In January of last year, Lula da Silva deployed troops into Rio de Janeiro state to combat armed groups that have controlled large territories since 2017.
- He also appointed new governors for three states, including Rio de Janeiro, who pledged to take strong action against gangs.
Challenges Ahead
- Some analysts suggest that Lula da Silva may face difficulties in fulfilling these promises due to the corruption and intimidation faced by many politicians from gang leaders controlling significant portions of their territories.
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